CIOB members view £70m Bristol office development
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
CIOB Brunel Centre members were treated to a site visit of the new £70m office development at Temple Quay, Bristol. Constructed by Balfour Beatty, the project commenced in November 2007 and which is now fast approaching topping-out stage.
The 30,000sq mt six-storey building comprises a large office complex which is scheduled to be made available for Tenant fit out during August 2009. It has an in-situ concrete frame in construction, and members were able to inspect safety equipment that allows the erection of formwork, with anchorage lines being connected to posts cast into column heads.
The production cycle of four weeks for each floor plate was evident in all stages of progress. An oval shaped twelve storey residential building is also underway, with the in-situ frame now at third floor level.
The visit was an excellent opportunity to observe the complexity of logistical planning for a city centre project, where space available for material laydown and preparation is at a premium.
Balfour Beatty Project Director and Brunel Centre Vice Chair, Kevin Cornish, provided an in-depth presentation of the design development, planning and operational issues associated with one of the major projects currently underway in the West Country.
The view from the top floor was stunning with views over Temple Meads train station, the leisure activities taking place on the River Avon, and the regeneration that has taken place in the central area of Bristol.
